Esther L. Neuhold was born on September 26, 1914 in Payne County, Oklahoma near the town of Cushing to Frank and Annie Margaret (Vincent) Sperry and passed away at Juniper Village on November 21, 2008 at the age of 94.
When she was three days old, she survived a tornado that swept a path five miles wide and toppled two wooden oil structures nearby.
In 1915, the family migrated to Southeast Colorado to settle on homestead land. She entered the local schools in District 1.
Esther was united in marriage to Frank Neuhold in 1935, and they were blessed with eight children.
She is preceded in death by her husband, of 57 years, Frank Neuhold, parents, her son, Robert “Bob” Neuhold; two granddaughters; Jill Schibbelhut and Vickie Herbert, great-grandson, Clay May, step-daughter, Marge Herbert, and her sons-in-law; Vern “Pete” Twombly, Ernest Schibbelhut, Gary Thompson, Wilbur May and Bill Herbert.
Esther is survived by her six daughters; Ruth Schibbelhut of Lakin, KS, Jean (Leroy) Schwartz, June May, and Margaret Thompson of Lamar, Marilyn Twombly of Julesburg, CO and Elaine (Jim) Davison of Olathe, CO. She is also survived by her twenty five grandchildren, forty nine great grandchildren and ten great great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
Esther was interested in oil painting and local history. She was a charter member of the Prowers County Historical Society and a member of the Lamar Christian Church.
A Celebration of Esther’s Life was held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at the Peacock Family Chapel with pastors Ian Blacker and Ray Matteson of the Lamar Christian Church officiating. Interment followed at the Fairmount Cemetery. Musical selections were sung by the Church of Christ Singers and included “One Day at a Time”, “Over the Sunset Mountains” and “I’ll Fly Away”.
Casket Bearers were Greg Spitzer, Gary Schwartz, Terry Sneller, Larry Taylor, Cole Twombly and Brad Taylor. Serving as Honorary Bearers included Mike Herbert, Tim May, Randy Spitzer, Rod Schwartz, Bob Taylor, Jesse Davison and Sergeant Levi Davison.
Following the committal services at the cemetery, Esther’s family gathered at the Lamar Christian Church to share in fellowship and the memorial meal prepared and served by the ladies of the Lamar Christian Church.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lamar Christian Church or to the Lamar Fire and Ambulance either direct or in care of the Peacock Funeral Home.